BepiColombo

As a joint effort between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), BepiColombo will examine the peculiarities of Mercury's internal structure and magnetic field, as well as its interactions with the Sun and solar wind. It will also investigate surface features and chemistry, such as the ice within permanently shadowed craters.

The mission's scientific insights will significantly advance our understanding of how  the Solar System formed, and how planets evolve close to their parent stars. Starting science operations in early 2027, the two orbiters will undertake a nominal one-year science mission, with a possible extension.

BepiColombo: Europe´s mission to Mercury

One mission, multiple components

BepiColombo brings together four main modules: 

• ESA’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) Maps Mercury’s surface and mineralogy using 11 dedicated scientific instruments 
• JAXA’s spin-stabilised Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (also known as Mio):  Investigates the magnetosphere and plasma environment 
• Mercury Transfer Module (MTM): Delivers solar-electric propulsion during the long interplanetary cruise 
• and the MOSIF Sunshield: Protects Mio  from harsh solar radiation during transit. .

Airbus served as prime contractor for  system design and the manufacturing of the MPO, MTM and MOSIF.

At destination and after the MTM release, the MPO and Mio still join together and are captured by Mercury's gravity. MPO's thrusters guide Mio into its high elliptical orbit for deployment. Once Mio separates, MPO ejects the MOSIF sunshield and descends into its own lower orbit. 

BepiColombo timeline

Managing extreme heat in orbit

Situated just 58 million kilometres from the Sun, Mercury presents a formidable challenge to visiting spacecraft. Daytime surface temperatures reach up to 430° Celsius hot enough to melt some metals. Consequently, spacecraft orbiting Mercury must not only cope with intense solar heat, but also with infrared radiation emitted by the planet’s surface.

To protect the spacecraft, the BepiColombo team wrapped every external surface of ESA’s MPO - except for the radiator side - in high-temperature, Multi-Layered Insulation (MLI). The material, made up of 50 layers of ceramic and aluminium, was custom-built for the BepiColombo mission. Furthermore,  its antennas are built from  heat-resistant titanium, with a high-temperature protective coating.

While MPO’s scientific payload faces Mercury to map its surface, a dedicated radiator continuously points away into deep space to safely vent heat.

airbus-bepicolombo-infernal-heat-infographic